Justin Chadwick

Warne was left fuming after being told fit-again paceman James Pattinson was off-limits for the Melbourne Stars' Twenty20 semi-final showdown against the Perth Scorchers on Wednesday night.

Pattinson made a successful return from a side strain last Saturday in the Victorian Premier League, snaring 2-21 off eight overs.

But Cricket Australia has deemed the 22-year-old is not yet ready for the helter-skelter nature of T20 cricket so early in his comeback.

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A fired-up Warne, who was already unimpressed by CA's controversial rotation policy, said there was no logic in keeping Pattinson out of T20 ranks for such a big match.

"Everyone told us we couldn't have him," Warne said in Perth on Tuesday.

"We were just trying to find some logical answer or some common sense in between the absolute garbage we were given.

"Anyone with half a brain or common sense will know that playing a semi-final against good opposition where your get four overs is actually better for you than playing eight overs of grade cricket and standing out there for seven hours.

"I mean, hello? Am I the only one who thinks that? Or has common sense gone out the window?

"He's two weeks ahead of schedule, steaming in in the nets and bowling beautifully.

"To me it's a joke that we haven't got him.

"It's just mind boggling how ridiculous that decision is."

Warne also hit out at Australia's recent practice of rotating players, despite national coach Mickey Arthur launching a passionate defence of the policy.

"I know there has been some injuries, but it looks like strength and conditioning are picking the team, not the selectors," Warne said.

"To me the captain should always pick the team, in conjunction (with) the selectors to try and get the best team out on the park for Australia.

"Playing cricket for Australia is something special.

"It's not just rotate around and give a guy a game and see how you go.

"What sort of pressure is that on a particular player knowing he's got one game?

"There's nothing like knowing you've performed well enough that you're going to play the next game. That's when you start performing at your best."

The Stars will be without a host of key players against the Scorchers, with Sri Lankan paceman Lasith Malinga and Australian quartet Clint McKay, David Hussey, Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Wade all on international duties.

Malinga snared 6-7 when the teams met last month to help skittle the Scorchers for a record-low 69.

Warne will not be miked up for the re-match at the WACA after his recent expletive-laden altercation with West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels, which earned the Australian spinner a one-match ban.